Once we have designed and created your prototype, we can proceed to mold it directly from the milled, printed, or grown product. By molding directly, we avoid any possible casting and finishing problems and can achieve a closer approximation of your original concept. We can also mold your original carved waxes in this same manner. Your mold and/or your carved wax will serve as your model in that case.
We do, however, provide casting services for clients who wish to have an actual metal model. Here’s what the process looks like:
Your milled or grown CAD prototype or your hand carved wax is carefully sprued and placed on a casting tree with other items or by itself. The wax tree is placed inside a perforated stainless steel casting flask, which is then filled with investment. Once the investment sets-up, the casting flask is placed in a kiln where the wax is eliminated and it is then removed from the kiln. The kiln’s temperature is then raised in preparation for casting.
At the appropriate time, the casting flask is removed from the kiln and placed in a casting machine. Silver is then poured into the casting flask. The piece(s) are now cast.
“raw” according to the customers’ instructions. As part of our finishing process, some fabrication services are available.
Samples
Sierra Design Studios also offers finished sample castings. The castings are finished to the client’s specifications, and are produced in small quantities. We would be happy to discuss the finishing options that would work best for your samples.